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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THIS time, last year, the capital was a very lonely place for giant forward Francisco Zekumbawire as he battled the pain of rejection, and the weight of psychological demons, as his dream career-breakthrough move lay in tatters.
Stalked by injuries and unable to make the impression that the Glamour Boys had gambled on when they brought him from Hwange, Zekumbawire was homesick and short of friends, and a team, to help him deal with his emotions.
A divorce was imminent and, at the end of the season, he left Dynamos and was set to leave the nightmare of the capital behind him, until Harare City offered him a chance to revive his career.
The arrival of Masimba Dinyero, as a head coach who told him that he was the team’s best forward and would be central to his plans, has coincided with Zekumbawire’s resurgence as a bulldozing forward whose star is shining once again.
He scored a contender for the Goal of the Season at Rufaro two weeks ago, in a losing cause, for the Sunshine Boys, volleying home from about 25 metres against Dynamos.
On Sunday, Zekumbawire has a chance to lead his team to a major piece of silverware in the Chibuku Super Cup final at Mandava that his coach is even praying for his recovery from a knock.
The big forward has been battling an ankle injury, for the past few weeks, but has played through the pain barrier, in both the league and the Chibuku Super Cup.
“He has been playing very well after the window period, he has been doing very well and I hope he keeps the standard,” said Dinyero.
“He is going to play because he is the match winner at the moment.”
The absence of speedster Martin Vengesayi, through injury, means the Sunshine Boys are lightweight in attack, which piles the pressure for Zekumbawire to play on Sunday.
“At the moment only Martin Vengesayi is definitely out because he has a back problem but we are not under pressure at all at the moment,” said Dinyero.
“We know it’s a tough challenge.
“It’s an honour to us to be in the final because we have one hand away from the Cup.
“It’s very important to have a winners’ medal because years after retiring they will tell their kids that in such and such year I played FC Platinum and here is my medal that I won.”
Inspirational skipper David Kutyauripo returns to the defence after missing two league games through suspension.
“It’s good because he has been an inspirational captain to the team,” said Dinyero.
“He has been doing very well this season and I hope he will keep the standards he had before he got the red card.
“Preparations are going forward because we are fighting for that trophy also.” Harare City defender, Arnold Chivheya, believes they have worked very hard, to be where they are today, and need to be rewarded for their efforts by bringing the Chibuku Super Cup to the capital.
“We have been working hard and we are looking forward to winning the game,” said Chivheya.
“We have come a long way to be in the final so we cannot give them (FC Platinum) the game on silver platter.
“We have a strong team and anyone can face the challenge at any given time so we will give them a good battle.”
Chivheya said their focus, for now, was only on the Chibuku Super Cup and they will start thinking about their relegation battle after the final whistle on Sunday.
Online Reporter